Sample IPM Policy
Revised: ____________
YOUR FACILITY NAME HERE
IPM Policy
(Draft provided by the IPM Institute as part of the
IPM STAR or GREEN SHIELD CERTIFIED evaluation process)
YOUR FACILITY NAME HERE uses Integrated Pest Management to alleviate pest problems
with the least possible hazard to people, property and the environment. IPM emphasizes nonchemical strategies such as sanitation and exclusion to achieve long-term solutions.
Pesticides are to be used in YOUR FACILITY NAME HERE facilities only by certified commercial
applicators and only after consideration of the full range of alternatives, based on analysis of
environmental effects, safety, effectiveness and costs. Staff and patients are not permitted in any
area where a pesticide has been applied to exposed surfaces for a minimum of seven hours.
YOUR FACILITY NAME HERE will maintain a limited list of approved pesticides for use when
required. Products will be selected after careful consideration of hazards. The list will be
reviewed annually by the IPM Coordinator and Safety Committee.
When pesticide applications are scheduled for YOUR FACILITY NAME HERE-managed
buildings and grounds, YOUR FACILITY NAME HERE shall provide notification including:
1.
Posting a pest control information sign with the date, time and location of the application
and the product applied in an appropriate area and including contact information for
additional details.
2.
Providing this information to all individuals working in the building.
3.
Providing this information to all staff, patients and guardians who have requested
notification of individual applications of pesticides.
Where pests pose an immediate threat to the health and safety patients, visitors or employees,
YOUR FACILITY NAME HERE may authorize an emergency pesticide application and shall
notify by telephone any guardian who has requested such notification. Disinfectants, antimicrobials and self-contained or gel-type pesticide baits applied in inaccessible areas are exempt
from posting, notification and the 7-hour reentry requirement.
YOUR FACILITY NAME HERE will maintain detailed records of all chemical pest control
treatments for at least three (3) years. Information regarding pest management activities is
available to the public at the YOUR FACILITY NAME HERE’s administrative office. Requests to
be notified of pesticide applications may also be made to this office.
YOUR FACILITY NAME HERE recognizes that all building occupants have a role in reducing
pest problems and reliance on pesticides. It is the policy of YOUR FACILITY NAME HERE to
take the following preventative measures to eliminate pest-conducive conditions:
a.
To reduce potential to introduce pests, especially cockroaches, all food products
and other supplies in the food service area will be removed from cardboard
shipping containers after arrival. Cardboard will be moved immediately to the
recycling storage outside the building.
b.
To facilitate cleaning in food service areas and reduce food sources for pests,
non-refrigerated food product storage will be on open metal racks. Any new
metal racks purchased will have locking wheels for ease in moving to clean
under and behind.
c.
When events are scheduled that include serving food, the cleaning staff will be
informed at least one week in advance in order to arrange for prompt removal of
trash and cleaning.
d. Where possible, inspection aisles of 4-6” in width will be maintained between
walls and any appliances, stored items and other objects to facilitate visual
inspection and regular cleaning. Shelving and hangers will be used in closets and
other areas to keep stored objects off floors for ease of cleaning.
e.
Upholstered furniture will not be used in areas where eating is permitted.
f.
To reduce pest harborage, clutter will be avoided on shelves, in closets and
cupboards and other locations. In general, supplies not used within one year will
be offered to other staff who may have more immediate use for them, recycled or
otherwise properly disposed of.
g.
To improve access for cleaning, closets will have stored items placed on shelves,
leaving the floor accessible for regular cleaning.
h. To prevent pest access to potential food items, edibles stored in rooms and
closets will be stored in plastic or metal containers with tight-fitting lids.
i.
To prevent pest access to water, dripping faucets or other leaks will be repaired
promptly. Mop buckets will be dumped daily, and damp mops hung from racks,
head up, to dry.
j.
Dumpsters will be placed away from buildings, on hard, easy-to-clean surfaces,
and lids will be kept closed.
k.
To maximize staff ability to be full partners in implementing IPM, all new staff
will receive training on the IPM program, including in house and contracted
cleaning staff. Current staff will receive refresher training at least every two
years.
l.
To prevent and avoid pest problems, the IPM coordinator and any contracted
pest management professionals serving our facilities will review plans for all
new construction or renovation to identify and suggest improvements for any
pest-conducive design features. They will review construction in progress to
ensure adequate pest management during construction and proper
implementation of pest-proofing measures.
m. Any contracted structural, landscape or public health pest management
professionals will be carefully selected based on ability to perform according to
our IPM policy and plan, and not solely on lowest bid offered for the tasks to be
performed.